Culture elisabeth doehne
CABBIE CULTURE
London’ s cabshelters
a hangout for cabbies in the English capital, cab shelters have been offering cheap drinks, food and companionship since the Victorian Age.
A‘ cuppa-tea’ and a‘ bacon buttie’ for £ 1.50 are a breakfast bargain at London’ s oldest‘ drive-thru.’ Found all over central London, cab shelters resemble rustic garden sheds or outdoor pavilions – but they are an urban phenomenon.
“ I come here every other day for lunch,” says Ronald Smith, 52, a cab driver stopping at the Russell Square location.“ Pork-chop Fridays are the best.”
Traditionally, the huts serve hearty, greasy food- fry-ups, buttered toast, cheese rolls and bacon – yet the atmosphere is refreshing. There is laughter, chatter, newspapers and postcards on the wall.
Some locations have introduced new menu choices like Thai chicken curry or fresh Mediterranean dishes and vegetables.“ I never bothered to eat salad before but I got used to it. It’ s healthier for all of us,” laughs Scott McDonald, a cabbie at the St John’ s Wood shelter. The idea to‘ provide good and wholesome refreshments at moderate prices’ dates back to 1875. Philanthropist glyn kelly
Sir George Armstrong set up the first hut in St John’ s Wood to keep cabbies from the bottle and shelter them from the cold. At their peak there were more than 60 cab shelters in London, built at £ 200 each.
Though horse-drawn carriages pulled away more than a century ago, 13 cabins currently remain for the 26,000 cab drivers in London.“ Our mission is to provide rest and cover or cab drivers. Maintenance, the costs to furbish and stock kitchens are a big challenge as we’ re dependent on donations,” says Mr James Jenkins from Cabmen’ s Shelter Fund, the charity running the huts.
The shelters, emerald green and not bigger than a horse-drawn carriage are often lined by black cabs. The inside is small and cramped. Two benches line the room and a U-shaped, white table can fit about 10 people. Drinking, card games and swearing have always been forbidden on the premises. Most shelters, like the one in Hanover Square, also welcome passers-by.
In Russell Square, bus drivers and construction workers are frequent visitors.“ I just enjoy the company,” says David Cramer, a student at the nearby University of London.“ To me, it’ s like a reality check every time I come in here.”
More than an anachronism, the shelters are a part of London’ s thriving cab culture and a good place for a hot meal and some interesting conversation.
// Elisabeth Doehne
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